Original article / research
The Adaptation Paradox Beyond NEET-UG Scores: A Cross-sectional Study of Post-admission Adaptation and Academic Performance among Medical Undergraduates in North India
IC15-IC20
Correspondence
Neeraj Raizada,
A-168, Ashok Vihar, Phase 1, New Delhi-110052, Delhi, India.
E-mail: projectmanagerdn@gmail.com
Introduction: National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test for Undergraduates (NEET-UG) score provides an entry-level marker of academic preparedness for Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) students, but academic performance after admission may also depend on study behaviour, peer context and self-regulation within the medical-college environment.
Aim: To assess factors associated with satisfactory academic performance among MBBS students, with particular focus on NEET-UG category, study pattern, academic peer orientation and peer-related academic resilience.
Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 358 MBBS students from second year onward at the Department of Community Medicine, Jaipur National University Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India between January 2025 and March 2025. Data were collected using an anonymous, structured, self-administered online questionnaire assessing NEET-UG category, most recent university examination performance, study pattern, residence, alcohol/smoking status, psychological distress indicators, academic peer orientation and peer-related academic resilience. Satisfactory academic performance was defined as a self-reported score of ≥60% in the most recent university examination. Associations were assessed using a Chi-square test and multivariable logistic regression. Adjusted Odds Ratios (aOR) with 95% Confidence Intervals (CI) were reported.
Results: Overall, 243 students (67.9%) reported satisfactory academic performance. On adjusted analysis, NEET-UG category, gender, study pattern and peer-related academic resilience remained independently associated with satisfactory performance. Compared with the <250/not disclosed NEET-UG category, higher odds were observed among students scoring 250-349 (aOR=2.14; 95% CI: 1.21–3.78; p=0.009) and ≥350 (aOR=2.22; 95% CI: 1.19-4.16; p=0.012). Female students had higher odds of satisfactory performance than male students (aOR=2.05; 95% CI: 1.26–3.33; p=0.004). Students reporting ≥3 hours/day or a need-based variable study pattern had higher odds than those reporting <3 hours/day (aOR=1.71; 95% CI: 1.04-2.80; p=0.033). Peer-related academic resilience was independently associated with satisfactory performance (aOR=1.83; 95% CI: 1.13-2.97; p=0.015), while academic peer orientation alone was not.
Conclusion: Academic performance among MBBS students was associated with both entry-level academic profile and post-admission adaptation factors. Study pattern and peer-related academic resilience appear important beyond NEET-UG category alone.